Surviving Long Hours and the Night Shift

Many health problems can be directly attributed to lack of rest and sleep. Not getting enough rest could lead to symptoms such as slower reaction time, impaired learning ability, slower cognitive ability, moodiness and sudden drowsiness. People also may suffer from impaired cognitive flexibility and communication skills.

These symptoms can pose some serious threats to nurses and their ability to perform their job accurately and correctly. They could, for example, commit errors and inaccuracies in the administration of drugs, suffer from syringe needle injuries and other medical tools, or make mistakes in the use of medical equipment. In a study published in 2004 by Rogers et al, it was shown that a nurse is three times more likely to make an error while working in shifts that extend to 12 and a half hours or more, compared to working shifts that lasted just 8 and a half hours.